II. APPROVAL MADE EASY - Cindy Sunshine I'm going to post this periodically just in case new people missed it the first couple of times.  If leading them to Walter's wonderful site can help ONE sufferer get approved, it will have been more than worth it! One of the links on Walter LINDSTOM's WEBSITES is the one called "Maximizing Your Chances of Getting an Insurance Approval the First Time".  It's on the home page of the Obesity Law and Advocacy Center.  Any of you just beginning this process, along with checking out Olwen's huge number of links, please go directly to http//www.obesitylaw.com/maximize.htm DO NOT PASS GO, DO NOT COLLECT $200. If I had not gotten approved in 7 weeks without any prodding on my part, I would have clamored for something just like this site! Insurance Denial Hell is NOT a place I wish upon ANYone! III. ADVICE FOR PREOPS - Chris Benor, Val Filipiski & Michelle R Advice to pre-ops  Ask your surgeon  (and anesthesiologist) some "what-ifs." What if I can't sleep at  the hospital - can I get something to help me? What if I'm allergic to the  pain medication?  What will be our second option?  Find out if  they routinely have recliners in the hospital rooms.  My hospital floor  only had 2 and I called "dibs" on one of them - it was wonderful to  sit in during the day.  Clean your house beforehand - you don't  want to worry about it when you come home.  If your surgeon  doesn't provide one - buy a binder!!!  I didn't and I really wish I  had.  My scar is significantly wider in places and I'm sure that could  have been avoided with a binder.  Don't buy a huge amount of  post-op food.  I have tons leftover (and trust me, it will be a LONG  time before I eat mashed potatoes again).  I bought a lot of yogurt,  soup, etc., not really comprehending that a can of soup would last me for  tons of meals.  Find someone who can run errands for you or at  least find a supermarket and pharmacy that delivers.  Walk a  lot.  Don't wait for the nurse to nag you at the hospital, you nag them  about walking.  Then once you're home, try to walk at least twice a day,  even if it's to the next house.  Try to walk a little further each day.  Do not rush back to work before you're ready.  You're  having this surgery partly as an acknowledgment that you're worth it.   Take the time to listen to your body and to build up your endurance.  I  took 6 weeks off.  Even though I know I'm going to have a lot of work  piled up Monday, I don't care. The work will wait - I don't want to rush  myself through the healing and discovery process.  Find a decent  psychologist and make an appointment, especially if you've been overweight  most of your life.  Yes, this is a great tool, but you need to deal with  any outstanding emotional issues you have with food (and weight and sex and  self-esteem, etc.) so that you're not left defenseless in a year or two when  the tool is not as strong.  Tell your support people what you  need.  Don't expect your partner, your mother, your best friend, your  neighbor, to mysteriously "know" what you need.  If you want  someone to listen, tell them.  A massage, silence, help picking up the  gallon of milk, whatever, tell them.  Don't get mad if someone can't  read your mind - you're responsible for you and your needs.  Take  your measurements!!!!!  I'm not kidding about this - you're going to  be really ticked off at yourself if you don't.  Get a recliner -  buy, borrow, rent.  I didn't feel comfortable sleeping in bed until 5  weeks!  Take your scale and put it in the attic.  Or  garage.  Or garage sale.  It's way too easy to weigh yourself every  day.  We're having this surgery so we can let go of our weight  obsession, not compound it.  ...  get the riser  for your toilet seats.  Costs very little, but makes SUCH a difference  when you get home.! Awhile back, 2  of my friends and I came up with a list (we had all had the gastroplasty and  belonged to the same support group) of hints, tips and suggestions for before  surgery and afterwards. We used to share it with other support group members  that were pre-op (I'm no longer part of the group). Anyways, I decided to  type them all out for you all to see. Hope it helps and most will be common  sense but when your nervous you can forget this stuff. Before you have  the surgery....... --Find a support person. Someone that will look out  for you in the hospital and help out when you get home. --Have the  support person or you, re-arrange the house to make it much more easily  accessible and post surgery prepared. Examples would be- have lots of  pillows, have telephone numbers ready (surgeon, patient coordinator, etc.)  just in case of problems. Figure out where you are going to sleep and sit  after the surgery. Also have medical gauze and tape ready for your incision.  If you are not able to have someone help you, learn to wipe yourself without  bending your stomach muscles (this sounds silly but all the people I know who  had the surgery had this problem). Some good techniques are using some type  of stick with the toilet paper on the end or crouching straight down. --In case something serious does happen, make your wishes clear to  your support person (usually a significant other or parent/sibling,  etc.). What to bring to the hospital..... --Bring a few nightgowns  (usually cotton because flannel has loose hairs that might get into the  incision line). --Bring slippers that you can walk right into (you won't  want to bend down or struggle with your slippers). --Bring any type  of lotion or soap you prefer and the same goes for shampoo and conditioner. --For women that still have their periods- BRING PADS even if you  are not expecting your period. For some women, the anesthesia can bring  on your period (this happened to me). --Bring your support  person. --Don't forget all medical papers and any telephone numbers you  may need. While in the hospital....... --Listen to all the  recommendations the doctors, nurses, physical therapists make to help you  after the surgery. They know best and while learning breathing exercises seem  silly BEFORE your surgery, you will learn quickly after surgery why you need  these exercises. If you are seeing a physical therapist, watch the techniques  they have for getting in and out of bed. This will be of major  importance. --WALK. As soon as you can, walk and keep walking. This leads  to a quicker recovery. --If your having problems with the hospital  staff or room, speak up. Its benefits your health when you feel  comfortable. --Before you leave the hospital, make sure you have all your  original belongings and any medical instructions and of course, pain  medicine. After the surgery...... --Know your diet restrictions  and follow them. --Keep walking! --Follow doctors  orders! --Don't feel bad if your constantly calling the doctor or  patient coordinator. We all did this because we were not used to the changes  in our body.